Tualatin council weighs new sidewalk maintenance plan after citywide survey finds 2,091 defects

TUALATIN, Ore. — City staff told the Tualatin City Council on Jan. 27 that a citywide sidewalk assessment recorded 2,091 defects and estimated the backlog at about $1.3 million, renewing debate over how much of the cost the city should absorb and how to prioritize repairs.

Public Works Director Rachel Sykes said the study — completed in October at a cost of about $10,000 — classified 323 defects as minor (grindable), 1,184 as medium (half-inch to 1.5 inches) and 584 as severe (1.5 inches or more). The assessor determined roughly 880 defects appeared to be caused by street trees in the planter strip adjacent to sidewalks.

The numbers matter because Tualatin’s current sidewalk maintenance program is funded by the road utility fee and runs at about $150,000 annually. Staff estimated an additional $433,000 per year would be required to catch up over three years; that increase would equate to roughly $3.13 per month for a typical single‑family account, staff said.

Why it matters: The city’s municipal code assigns sidewalk maintenance to adjacent property owners, but councilors and staff said many homeowners do not pursue repairs on their own and that delays raise liability and safety concerns. Councilors favored…